Fei Tang was afraid that Chang Dong might really have been killed by Ye Liuxi. If that happened, on one hand, it would show that Ye Liuxi was truly formidable—so difficult to deal with that even if he had the courage, he wouldn’t dare to pursue the jade stag anymore; on the other hand, Chang Dong’s death would shatter their dream of discovering hidden treasures in the Gobi Desert, making their entire trip a complete waste. So Fei Tang brewed a cup of instant coffee, forced himself to stay awake, and waited for Chang Dong to return. At midnight, the door creaked open, and Chang Dong entered, casually setting the plastic bag he was carrying down on the tea table. The bag felt heavy. Fei Tang stared, eyes wide, and exclaimed, “Wow, money!” Inside, there was a substantial amount—stacked, folded, crumpled, bundles of hundreds, fifties, and even five-dollar bills—mostly small steel coins. The weight made sense. Chang Dong explained, “Ye Liuxi gave this to me. There were so many expenses during our journey into the Gobi, and this is her share. We’re leaving at ten o’clock tomorrow morning.” Fe The paper money piles up, taking up space and giving the impression of being full of cash—only upon handling it do you realize the highest denominations are ten and twenty yuan. This doesn’t at all resemble someone holding a deer-headed agate. Chang Dong nodded gently. “If you’re idle right now, just organize your money.” When Ye Liuxi handed over the money sack, he said, “I never take advantage of others. I know traveling into the Gobi requires expenses. Since we’re going together, I’ll pay my share.” At first, Chang Dong thought he was offering gold bricks; only when he looked at the coins and paper notes under the car light did he feel genuinely touched. It seemed these were all small savings accumulated from selling melons, grilling food, and even night-time services for young ladies—real hard-earned cash. For a brief moment, he didn’t even want it anymore. Even if he sold off his entire estate and became a mere penniless man, the cumulative dividends and payments from Xiao He over the past year had already totaled over ten thousand yuan—this journey would be more than sufficient, and he wouldn’t miss these small comforts. But she still accepted—it was so proud of itself, with that air of “I’m also claiming my share,” that it was hard to refuse. Counting money was one of Fat Tang’s favorite things. While modern people love to keep pets—cats today, dogs tomorrow, digital little sprites the day after—none of them matched his dedication and consistency. His pet was money, whether it was in his own wallet or in someone else’s hand; he treated it with such devotion and care, as if it were a cherished companion. He stacked the coins into neat piles and sorted the bills by denomination, then skillfully flipped through them. “Dong, you said we should all come together and work as a team,” he said. “Shouldn’t I pick a specific day to host a formal dinner, to make up for the last time things didn’t go smoothly with Ye Liuxi? After all, a good relationship takes time to build and maintain.” Chang Dong pulled out clean clothes from his suitcase for bathing. “Just keep your distance from her. People like this switch between human and ghost-like behavior, and they turn on a dime—familiarity takes time to develop.” Fat Tang didn’t even look up. “Isn’t that exactly what we "Chang Dong went to the restroom and came back: 'Fei Tang?' 'Ah?' 'Let's do a personality test. One night, you wake up from a nightmare, finding yourself tied by a rope around your neck, hanging from a tree in a remote, deserted field—completely forgotten, with no one around you at all. What would you do?' Fei Tang visualized the scene, a cold shiver running down his back, his tongue suddenly clumsy: 'You're not kidding, are you? I'm going to pee myself... I'll have to call for help—no, I'll call 110. Yes, I'll call 110. I'm the victim, and I need compensation. Hey, Dong, what does this say about my personality?' Chang Dong replied: 'It shows that your courage is just as fragile as your confidence—don't even think about that jade deer head carving anymore.' Fei Tang sensed something was off, until Chang Dong closed the door and the sound of running water began in the restroom—he finally realized: Had he ever mentioned the 'jade deer head carving' to Chang Dong? When exactly had he said it by accident? Good heavens He counted the money carefully. A total of 3,742 yuan and 3 jiao. — Chang Dong turned on the shower, opened it fully, leaned his head inside, and let the water flow over the back of his neck until it completely covered his mouth and nose, then tilted his head to wipe the water from his face. Now, reflecting on it, if Ye Liuxi's words are true, what truly strikes one most is not the incident itself, nor the strange dream—but her reaction: She pulled out her flashlight, shone it around the room, then checked her bag, and then picked up her bag to go seek work. People who experience amnesia retain their temperament, intelligence, and daily habits. Who, when robbed, would simply treat it as routine? Someone who has been robbed ten times. If Ye Liuxi remains calm throughout this entire event, it can only mean that within the memories she has lost, she has experienced even more extraordinary events. — Fei Tang’s shared bike was scheduled to be picked up at Liu Yuan. Before that, he had to rely on Chang Dong’s car. The itinerary wasn't rushed; Chang Dong even took detours, navigating through more challenging terrains, deliberately using the time before entering the Gobi to test the vehicle. After two years of inactivity, both the car and the crew would have grown sluggish, so early detection of potential issues would allow for timely repairs. Ye Liuxi drove most of the time, trailing behind, occasionally overtaking. Every time she overtook, Fei Tang felt particularly unimpressed: "East Brother, with just this old minivan, how is she going to make it into the Gobi?" His own rented vehicle, priced at just 30,000 yuan, had gained considerable pride simply because it featured four-wheel drive. Chang Dong didn't commit to a firm statement: "In theory, it might not make it—on 'dismantled-pins roads,' it could completely stall. But nothing is absolute. People often say driving through Sichuan-Tibet requires off-road capability, yet some have managed to complete the journey even in a tractor." Throughout the journey, Ye Liuxi didn't share meals with the others. Changdong and Fei Tang would have a meal together for lunch, even if not extravagant—there would always be meat, vegetables, dishes, and soup. Not Ye Liuxi. She’d buy two buns and a bag of pickled vegetables, and with a hot cup of water from the store, that would be enough for a meal. Sometimes she’d eat while sitting in the car, sometimes she’d eat while strolling along the streets, enjoying the scenery. Changdong felt a bit uneasy and wanted to invite her along, merely adding a pair of chopsticks—after much hesitation, he decided against it. Before departure, he had already set the tone for this trip to Longcheng: the partnership should be loose. He would maintain a distance from Ye Liuxi, simply acting as a guide. Whether Fei Tang was focused on financial gains or Ye Liuxi on her mystical performances, he just needed to keep track of things and avoid getting pulled into the whirlwind. As the old saying goes: "Friends who share wine and meat"—inviting her to join them at the table would inevitably foster a sense of closeness. Once, when Ye Liuxi went into the store to fetch hot water, Seeing the solid, thick slice of bread that Ye Liuxi was holding, Chang Dong suddenly felt the meal seemed a bit extravagant. Fei Tang warmly invited Ye Liuxi: "Sister Xi, why don't you join us for dinner? We have meat here." Chang Dong thought Fei Tang was not very articulate, especially with the added remark, "We have meat here," which clearly conveyed a sense of superiority—Ye Liuxi would likely not treat her well. Indeed, that was exactly what happened. Ye Liuxi said, "I've eaten so much, and there's meat, yet I still don't see myself growing any more beautiful than you." After stepping out, she sat at a small flower bench across the street, broke off a piece of the bread, and slowly chewed it with pickled vegetables. Fei Tang was furious: "Dong, I've always been careful to treat the elderly and the poor with kindness, but now she's so poor, how can I still be bothered by her?" Chang Dong replied, "Because she's both poor and proud." ... She didn't live with them either—nothing unusual about that, since she had a bed in her car. What was strange, however, was that Chang Dong kept an eye out. That night, when he accompanied Fei Tang to inspect the vehicle, he happened to see Ye Liuxi stepping out from the side entrance as they returned to the hotel. Chang Dong found an excuse to alight and asked Fei Tang to go back first, then followed her from a distance. It was clear that she was unfamiliar with the area—she paused several times to check street signs—before finally finding her way, turning into a well-lit back alley. The alley was filled with overflowing drains, and the exhaust pipes above emitted a steady stream of smoke. Trash bins stood closely together. As Chang Dong passed by, he saw a middle-aged woman helping Ye Liuxi put on a disposable plastic apron, talking continuously: "This meat and vegetables are being minced together—soy sauce, salt, scallions, ginger, garlic—all to be included. It's eighty yuan total. You have to mince it finely, not too coarse." Ye Liuxi replied, "I understand." After the woman left, Ye Liuxi rolled up her sleeves, bent down, lifted a large piece of meat from the bowl, and placed it on a chopping board standing half a person's height. She took This kind of cleaver, designed for easy cutting of meat, is usually made of iron—its blade heavy, so even men find it difficult to wield, let alone use it with both hands. She, however, handles it effortlessly. After chopping for a while, she lifts her arms, flips the blade, and scoops a pile of cabbage stems and leaves over, then continues. Chang Dong walks over, leans against the door and watches for a moment, then says, “You work evenings, don’t you?” Ye Liuxi jumps in surprise, the chopping motion halts, and she turns to see him. Her brows furrow. “How did you end up here?” “Just passing by while having dinner on this street—I saw you.” Ye Liuxi adds oil and salt to the minced filling. “Yes, after paying the money, I’m not particularly well off—people can’t live without money; without it, they feel anxious, so I have to earn a bit.” Isn’t it just over 3,000 yuan? “Worked on a temporary basis?” “Just asked around—any available work, I take it.” Chang Dong recalls her chopping movements. “Do you have Ye Liuxi nodded, lifted her hand to point at herself: "There are so many strengths—I myself find myself really liking them." Chang Dong truly had no words to respond to, pausing before finally asking, "Doesn't your evening work interfere with your daytime driving?" Ye Liuxi glanced at him: "Does it? Have I ever driven slowly?" "Then it won't bother you—I'm going now." Ye Liuxi said slowly: "Are you going to keep carving your own stories again?" Chang Dong, who had already stepped outside, heard the tone in her voice and turned back: "What's wrong with that?" She wiped the meat paste stuck on the blade: "Not much. I just feel that at your age, you're in the prime time for eating, drinking, enjoying life, gambling—carving your own stories all day long, isn't that interesting?" "Interesting. I just want to win a Golden Knife Award." "Ah, then go on—no problem for you to chase that award." Chang Dong walked a few steps, then remembered something, turned back and asked her: "Shall we go to my place for a bath tonight?" Ye Liuxi finally caught on: "What?" "Changdong gestured toward her and the cutting board around her: 'You're all this scent—everywhere.' Ye Liuxi lowered her head and sniffed at herself. What was this scent? A blend of fresh meat, cabbage, scallions, ginger, and oil. She replied, 'I don't really notice it.' Changdong said, 'You don't notice it, then go ahead and enjoy it.' ... By the time the matter was settled, it was past eleven. On her way back home, Ye Liuxi passed by a storefront, paused, then turned back. Public bathroom. She spent eight yuan for a shower and three yuan for a small bottle of body wash and shampoo. Sitting on the stool in the small shower room, the body wash foam covered her entire body. With a bit of movement, some bubbles rose and, under the yellow light of the overhead bulb, shimmered in various hues. This scent—yours, and so fresh!